As a baseball fan for over 60 years, I am disappointed to see so many fan "idols" listed amongst the players of our national pastime in the Mitchell Report.
As a kid, I was able to see many vets before they retired—as well as rookies turned into vets—find their way into baseball's "Hall of Fame." I recall many home runs hit out of the friendly confines aided by the "Winds of Wrigley"...or a breakfast bowl of Wheaties!
It is ironic that I remember seeing a kid playing for the Oakland A's named Jose Canseco at an Arizona spring training game against the Cubs in 1985 hit a ball further than anyone I had ever seen in the major leagues—including Hank Greenberg, Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, or Willie Mays. The ball landed nearly 500 feet away from home plate...and there was no wind.
Later, Canseco, along with teammate Mark Mcgwire, became known as the "Bash Brothers" because of their long-ball tendencies. I thought the ball was "juiced." I never gave consideration to any other reason.
A few years back, I was disappointed when Sammy Sosa's broken bat was found to be corked...I lost respect for him. I have since lost respect for the game of baseball as a whole.
We all knew that wrestling was an exhibition and fake...but the game of baseball, with so many records now tainted, and the everyday fan priced out of the ballpark by record salaries earned by cheating and deceit, is now no better than wrestling.
These named players' records should not only have an asterisk next to their name in the record books—but furthermore, those still playing should be made to wear one on their uniform as well.
Jerry Pritikin—aka "The Bleacher Preacher"
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